Customer Reviews

Mastering Windows Nt Server 4

5 star:		(60)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I buy a heck of a lot of computer books in the average year. Many of them are worthless, fluffy attepts to market a product, or a blatant attempt to sell books by writing "conceptually" about the latest industry buzzword. This book, however, is one that I continutally go back to as an indespensible reference. Not necessarily a book you would use if you want to take the MCSE exams (though it is helpful), but an essential tool if you need to quickly get up to speed on NT administration without the time and hassle of taking classes. Minasi provides thorough coverage, practical examples and situations, and useful real-world observations. He has a wonderful ability to explain things with clarity, and a subtle sense of humor that gets you through the heavier material. I keep my copy close and hand and always recomend it to anyone with a desire to learn NT administration (and, at 1500 pages, it's great for building up your biceps, too).

We've had a lot of inquiries about this book on our site, we're an Amazon.com Associate, as to whether this book is a good tool for MCSE candidates -- this is probably because we've given it such a great rating and it's not officially a study guide. Yes, it is a great study tool -- it's the best tool you can buy to study for your 3 NT core MCSE exams! Look at the TCP / IP 4.0 exam ( 70-059 ) -- some of the questions on the exam are taken right from of this book ( especially the DHCP and WINS sections ). Or look at the Workstation 4.0 exam, same thing -- some of the questions are taken right from this book. Almost word for word.

We just got a hold of the 5th Edition this week ( late November, 1997 ) and we've browsed over it. It covers everything the 4th edition covers, and a bit more. The CD-ROM, although a nice thought, isn't that great ( sorry Mr. Minasi ). The index and flaps on the back of the book are probably easier to use and access, especially if you're at the workplace.

The most common question we get about this book is, "I'm a newbie to NT, does this book cover the basics?" Answer : It doesn't cover the basics like some of the study guides, but if you've used Windows 95 before, then the migration to NT ( using this book ) is easy. But then again, you get 10 times more stuff with this book then you get with ALL other study guides. And yes, the book does cover basic install procedures to advanced network installs.

This book is the best-selling Windows NT book in the world. Once you get it, you'll see why.

BTW, visit our website, we're an Amazon.com Associate, and THE MAN himself called our site "very cool!"

This book provides excellent coverage of NT4. There are very, very few questions left unanswered by the contents of this book. Excellent reference for me on the job. I first checked this book out in the library and found I needed it for every day. Plus, excellent price AMAZON and thanks for using USPS.

Granted, this is a fairly involved book, and lengthy, but it definitely fits everybody between newbies and experts. Before I got this, I thought I knew just about everything I needed to know...I was dead wrong. Mark also puts the explanations into ENGLISH! Microsoft press books are thrown in the dust by this one.

I wish there were a place where you could rate the "Author" and not just the book. I own many of Mr. Minasi's books and he never fails to meet my expectations of just how much information he can successfully impart to the reader. I stress the words "successfully impart" because this author's style is so clear and his analogies are so "on point" that he is able to make you understand concepts that other books fail to properly convey. Oh and as an extra: he throws in his quirky sense of humor, thus bringing some welcomed comic relief to those of us who read dull tech stuff all day long. This book is the first "Mark Minasi" book I ever owned and I haven't stopped buying books authored by him since.
At the time I purchased this book, I already owned two other books which endeavored to teach NT 4.0 Server.
Plain and simple: after reading this book from cover to cover I was able to obtain my first job as a junior system administrator. I failed to meet that goal with the other books.
I am currently enrolled in a course to prepare for the Windows 2000 MCSE. Of interest to all those pursuing this same path I say this: While studying for the W2K tests I referred constantly to this book in order to put into perspective the changes in Windows 2K relative to Windows NT 4.0.
One last note: The TCP/IP section in this book is incredibly well written. Mr. Minasi takes a very esoteric topic and lays down a brilliant foundation for the beginner.
More than saying I would recommend this book, I say... I would recommend this Author!!!

Mark always writes in such a way that he make the driest of subject interesting to read. Yes sometimes there is some stuff in each chapter. A sidetrack or extra information that's not necessary. However that is what makes him so easy to read. I often find myself reading long after the time I allotted myself to. One topic always leads my interest to another. This ease of reading greatly helped me obtain my MCSE, with earlier versions. I bought this update to NT 4.0, as it's being phased out, to get the latest and greatest for SP6. I purchase and have read threw months ago, sorry it has taken me so long to write the review. As with all of Marks books, when there is a revision (which SP6 created the need for), it's worth getting. I will be able to better support my Windows NT 4.0 servers until they're in there grave. I also recommend his Windows 2000 books, which I own a few of. The only thing I miss about Marks writing is his PC Upgrading & Maintenance book. The best thing about this author is he writes like he talks and talks like he writes. If you get the chance to hear him speak, you'll buy all of his books on topics you need. I came to this conclusion when I attended a tech. conference, Chicago in April of 2000. Thanks, Mark

I've purchased a fair number of NT server resource books in my time, and for me this is my bible. When I have problems, this is the one I turn to first. It's informative, well organized and easy to understand. Written more from a 'how-to' perspective, it's easy to get what you need when you need it. No need to read entire chapters every time just to solve a small problem. However, he does give excellent backgrounds and overviews if you're looking for that as well. As a NT Administrator, I find that its content and usability are top notch. I subsequently follow author Mark Minasi's columns in Windows NT Magazine, and continue to be impressed with his ability to explain and summarize complicated technical issues so that even I can understand them! I'd also recommend his book on Mastering TCP/IP as well. Another great resource for NT Administrators.

This is the best general purpose NT book that I've read--and I've read a lot of them. It does an excellent job of explaining all aspects of NT (installation, domain management, WINS, DNS, IIS4, DHCP, profiles, etc.) It also explains TCP/IP very well. In addition to giving 'cookbook' solutions, Minasi also explains what is going on so you can think through a problem on your own. For example, he gives a very lucid explanation of how browser lists are created and refreshed. He also provides instructions for a host of tasks commonly faced by a sysadmin--e.g. I needed to move DHCP services from one machine to another without loosing leases, Minasi's solution worked great! This book has saved me an enormous amount of time and frustration.

This book is a great reference book for anything you need to know about NT 4.0. Anytime I wanted to know how to do something I would look up the section and then read the chapter. The book is too long to read cover to cover. That is why you need to read one chapter at a time, when you need the information. Best book I ever bought.

If I had just one reference book for NT 4.0, this would be it. It gives you all the information you really need.